Jennie Niles

Jennifer C. Niles has a demonstrated track record of innovation, coalition-building, and problem-solving. Currently, Jennie is President & CEO of CityWorks DC, a new entrepreneurial venture with the mission to reshape education-to-employment pathways in Washington, D.C.

Previously, Jennie founded and led the acclaimed E.L. Haynes Public Charter School before serving as D.C.’s Deputy Mayor for Education from January 2015 until February 2018. During her 12-year tenure at Haynes, Niles built myriad programs focused on improving urban education beyond the school’s own walls, including cross-sector initiatives to build a teacher pipeline, race and equity seminars, and ongoing professional development for teachers.

Niles began her career teaching science and directing service-learning programs at schools in California and Massachusetts. She holds two master’s degrees and is a graduate of New Leaders for New Schools and a Pahara-Aspen Education Fellow.